Mississippi prison worker accused off sex with inmate

MERIDIAN, Mississippi -- Lauderdale County authorities have arrested an East Mississippi Correctional Facility employee for allegedly having sex with an inmate.

WTOK-TV reports authorities arrested Autumn Wedgeworth, 33, of Meridian, on Tuesday on a charge of sexual battery. She has since been released on $10,000 bond. Her case will be presented to the next available Lauderdale County Grand Jury.

The sheriff's chief deputy, Ward Calhoun, said Wedgeworth was arrested after the alleged act with the prisoner was discovered. He didn't provide any details on the investigation.

"Can't comment to the investigation itself," Calhoun said. "However, it is a violation of state statute for an employee, a correctional officer, any employee involved, or who has supervision over an inmate of any kind, any type of detainee, to have any type of sexual relations with that inmate."

Calhoun said Wedgeworth worked in the facility's educational services area. He did not know how long she worked there or her current employment status.

"And now we'll put it within the hands of the judicial system to carry forth in the prosecution," Calhoun said.